Topic: Preventing the Smuggling of Illegal Drugs
Country: Egypt
Delegate Name: Elizabeth Butterfield
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Egypt position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
As a nation that has long been affected by the drug trade, the Arab Republic of Egypt supports any and all initiatives made by the U.N. to combat the smuggling of illegal drugs. However, it is also the belief of the Arab Republic of Egypt that the U.N. should take a greater role in the issue. In the past, the U.N. has failed to fully address the issue of drug trade and trafficking, and because of this, the presence of illegal drugs has risen. According to research gathered by this very committee, the global illicit drug market is worth more than $300 billion annually, and this worth is continuing to grow. Nearly every country in the world in 2012 reported seizures of illegal drugs to the UNODC (UNODC). Egypt was included in countries to report illegal drug seizures. Even though the Arab Republic of Egypt is not a major illicit drug producer, our nation has faced heavy drug traffic.
Due to geographic location, the Arab Republic of Egypt has become a major hub for the drug trade (U.S. Department of State). Illicit shipments of narcotics are made from Africa through Egypt to Europe and from the Middle East through Egypt to Africa. The Suez Canal, which has made trade easier, has specifically made the drug trade easier. The Arab Republic of Egypt is not a major consumer, producer, or supplier of illegal drugs; but still, our nation has felt their presence. Egypt has made efforts over the years to put a stop to the smuggling of illegal drugs into the country. The Drug Enforcement Administration (created in Cairo) works to put a stop to drug trafficking operations in Egypt. This administration also works with the Anti-Narcotics General Administrations (ANGA). Despite our efforts, with the wake of the revolution in our country, drug trafficking has increased immensely. The countries producing illegal drugs, like Libya and Sudan, have taken advantage of Egypt’s current situation to bring more drugs into the country.
The Arab Republic of Egypt feels that to protect countries from being subjected to drug trafficking, the U.N. must take action. The U.N. has failed to fully address the rising presence of illicit drugs throughout the world; and, Egypt feels that it is not only time the U.N. discusses the issue, but that they also come up with solutions to this problem. The Arab Republic would like to suggest bringing security to the country’s borders, so as to prevent much of the drug trafficking that is occurring. Until the U.N. addresses the issue of drug trade and trafficking, it shall remain a global presence.
